Richard Wilson

The Thames near Marble Hill, Twickenham

c.1762

Image released under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND (3.0 Unported)

License this image

On loan

Musée du Luxembourg (Paris, France): Gainsborough to Turner: The Golden Age of English Painting

Artist
Richard Wilson 1713–1782
Medium
Oil paint on canvas
Dimensions
Support: 464 x 730 mm
frame: 655 x 940 x 85 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Purchased 1937
Reference
N04874

Display caption

This tranquil view shows a stretch of the Thames seen from the south bank of the river upstream from Richmond. The gable of the Palladian-style villa, Marble Hill House, can be seen peeping through the trees on the right. Wilson’s view is selective: he leaves out the busy river traffic and neighbouring houses.

The fine scenery around Twickenham was an inspiration to artists and poets during the eighteenth century: Alexander Pope and later Joshua Reynolds were amongst those who lived in the area. With its echoes of his beloved Italy, it proved a popular subject for Wilson, who painted several versions of this view.

Gallery label, August 2004

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.

Explore

You might like

Left Right